Épisodes

  • The Skeptic Zone #902 - 18.January.2026

    The Skeptic Zone #902 - 18.January.2026
    Jan 17 2026
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:05:20 Erich von Daniken 1935 - 2026

    We look at the life, times and legacy of the controversial author who popularise the idea that our ancient ancestors were visited by space aliens.

    Chariots of the Gods? Video

    https://youtu.be/R0hjOK865Qc

    Ancient Aliens Debunked - Video

    https://youtu.be/OFVbITJLLbQ 0:19:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

    What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week?
    Read by Adrienne Hill.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:28:20 Mamamia 2025 Predictions

    We take a look at some of what was in store for us for last year according to a psychic on a popular blog and podcast in Australia.

    https://www.mamamia.com.au/psychic-predictions-2025 0:43:34 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Predictions and Nostradamus.

    1973.07.26 - The Evening News - NY
    1980.03.06 - The Evening News - NY
    1976.12.03 - Lawrence Journal-World

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also https://www.tga.gov.au/news/media-releases/conviction-unlawful-supply-and-advertising-black-salve-products

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    1 h et 3 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #901 - 11.January.2026

    The Skeptic Zone #901 - 11.January.2026
    Jan 10 2026
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:06:32 Manifesting

    Have you heard of manifesting? Or as it's been more recently labelled the law of attraction? Manifesting is the relatively new label added to a very old practice. Each generation likes to think that they've found the key to unlocking all of your desires. When in actuality it's the same false hope that has been passed down for many generations. Recently on the Skeptic Zone you would've heard reporter Kat McLeod talk about the lucky girl syndrome. By whatever name, it is the personification of wishful thinking. 00:22:54 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas

    Magnesium Myths

    Magnesium is a supplement that has somehow been marketed as the solution to anxiety, insomnia, migraines, constipation, ADHD, menopause, burnout, and the general horror of being alive in late capitalism. This week Kate looks at what magnesium actually is and what it isn't.

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass 00:30:26 Refuting the anti-vaxxer who yelled her way onto The Skeptic Zone

    Back on 7 December, The Skeptic Zone and Why Smart Women podcasts blended to present a unique live episode at The Occidental Hotel in Sydney. Billed as the Why Smart Women Zone Podcast the show featured Why Smart Women host Annie McCubbin with Sue Ieraci, Kate Thomas, Jessica Singer and Richard Saunders. Lara Benham was the MC. Question-time revealed irony, as the first questioner could benefit from subscribing to Annie's Why Smart Women podcast. An anti-vaxxer, she seemed to have a plan to accuse, mock, embarrass or verbally pummel skeptics.

    A look at the blog post written by Paul Gallagher.

    https://luckylosing.com/2025/12/31/refuting-the-anti-vaxxer-who-yelled-her-way-onto-the-skeptic-zone/ 0:42:16 The TROVE Archives

    This week we look at a new age magazine from 1993 called "Southern Crossings". What trick and tips about divination can we pick up from all those years ago?

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

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    1 h et 3 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #900 - 4.January.2026

    The Skeptic Zone #900 - 4.January.2026
    Jan 3 2026
    0:00:00 Maynard's Disclosure
    Urgent and dramatic news from Maynard. What doom and gloom is coming our way? 0:02:52 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:07:56 Dr Rachie Reports

    Tim Mendham and Richard Saunders catch up with one of the original Skeptic Zone reporters, from 2008, Dr Rachael Dunlop. We learn about her skeptical investigations, the fight against fake AI scams and her ongoing research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). 00:29:52 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hill

    For episode 900, Adrienne looks at the number 900 and what makes it so interesting. Special guest Psychic Penny drops by to offer her mysterious insights. 0:40:40 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to "Psychic Predictions".

    1972.01.02 - The Sun-Herald
    1981.01.02 - The Sydney Morning Herald
    1985.12.21 - The Age

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Lara Benham, Richard Saunders and Susan Gerbic analyse a 'psychic' reading

    https://youtu.be/5vS8nKROzZc

    Refuting the anti-vaxxer who yelled her way onto The Skeptic Zone

    https://luckylosing.com/2025/12/31/refuting-the-anti-vaxxer-who-yelled-her-way-onto-the-skeptic-zone/

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    1 h et 5 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #899 - 28.December.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #899 - 28.December.2025
    Dec 28 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:04:22 NO Future Seen in Fortune Telling

    The GWUP (Gesellschaft zur wissenschaftlichen Untersuchung von Parawissenschaften - Society for the Scientific Investigation of Pseudosciences) in Germany evaluated 2099 annual predictions from fifty-two sources. One quarter were too vague to test, more than half were clearly wrong, and solid bullseyes were rare. The project evaluated publicly available annual predictions from fortune tellers, astrologers, self-described mediums, and other esoteric 'advisors' and 'seers'.

    Read by Lara Benham, Adrienne Hill and Richard Saunders

    https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/king-kong-doesnt-show-up-and-2025-psychic-forecasts-miss-the-big-events-once-again/ 0:28:28 TV News and Parasites

    One of the evergreen themes of the alternative medicine industry is that you are full of parasites. Channel 7 TV news in Australia ran a story critical of social media influences promoting cures for these so-called parasites. We look at the comments from the alternative medicine and conspiracy theory brigade.

    https://fb.watch/EgdjX8JnxA/? 0:38:12 The Loons from Canada

    This week Kate and Allie meet in a local cafe to reflect on some of this year's stories and there may even be a prediction from Psychic Penny!

    Special Guests! Kate Thomas, Michelle Bijkersma, Psychic Penny and Clairvoyant Casey. Also Thank you from everybody here at the Skeptic Zone, the hosts, the producers, all the reporters and the technical team behind the scene for your continued support throughout 2025. Without listeners like you the show would not be able to continue. We look forward to a big 2026 with more stories more reports and a lot of fun along the way.

    If you'd like to support the Skeptic Zone, please consider subscribing via PayPal or Patreon. Even as little as $5 a week or even a month goes a very long way in keeping the show going into its 18th year.

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    58 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #898 - 21.December.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #898 - 21.December.2025
    Dec 20 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:04:26 2026 Bent Spoon

    Now's your chance to nominate an individual, company or product in Australia that, in your opinion, is worthy of the Bent Spoon Award. Do you have your eyes on a psychic? Or maybe a particularly wacky peddler of magical thinking. Or could it be an alternative medicine practitioner using advanced nonexistence science! Nominations are now open via the link below.

    https://www.skeptics.com.au/about/activities/bent-spoon 00:11:58 Woo Watch! With Kate Thomas

    The Great Supplement Displacement

    Once again, Kate puts on her skeptical glasses and looks closely at an aspect of the wellness and supplement industry. Acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), a form of carnitine supplement, is widely suggested to reduce or eliminate brain fog by enhancing mental clarity, focus, and energy production in brain cells. But what's the real story? Sometimes a few grains of truth are scattered around an otherwise extraordinary claim.

    Kate Thomas on TikTok and Instagram
    https://linktr.ee/PrescribeorPass

    Kate's New Podcast! "On The 'Mones"
    https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/on-the-mones/id1862699491?i=1000741949131 0:21:40 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

    What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week?
    Read by Adrienne Hill.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:35:28 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Energy Medicine.

    2003.04.28 - The Hour - Connecticut
    2003.04.28 - Manila Standard

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

    https://vivaciouslivingcentre.com.au/therapists/metatron-bioresonance-scanning

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    57 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #897 - 14.December.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #897 - 14.December.2025
    Dec 13 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:06:46 TikTok Psychic Attack

    Only the Skeptic Zone podcast is brave enough to investigate the important but little spoken about public health imperative of...."Psychic Attack!"

    Is your psychic being attacked? Is your psychic attacking you? What can we do about this dangerous situation in our society?

    A look at what some people in today's day and age still believe that should've been discarded when we stopped burning people at the stake for being witches. 00:19:22 You Can Count on Adrienne. With Adrienne Hil

    Adrienne speaks with former ghost hunter Jon Michael about his skeptical activist successes since we met at the Raleigh Skepticamp in May, which range from speaking at paranormal conferences to Dragon Con. 0:33:30 For Cryin' Out Loud! It's Kat McLeod

    Kat is back with the PSYCH 441 class at MacEwan University to follow up on the experiment; did the volunteers have good luck? Ghostly experiences? Did they unleash a curse when they opened the box? All will be revealed. 0:45:22 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Tasseography (Tea Cup Reading). With Lara Benham.

    2007.07.22 - The Star-News - Wilington North Carolina
    1969.10.31 - The Windsor Star - Canada
    2008.02.20 - The Sidney Herald - Canada

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au

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    1 h et 5 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #896 - 7.December.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #896 - 7.December.2025
    Dec 6 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 00:02:00 The "Why Smart Women Zone" Podcast - Part #1

    LIVE from the Occidental Hotel in Sydney Australia, comes a combination of two of Australia's favourite critical thinking and skeptical podcasts. The combination of the "Why Smart Women" podcast and "The Skeptic Zone" podcast.

    Join hosts Annie McCubbin and Richard Saunders with special guests Kate Thomas, Sue Ieraci and the president of Australian Skeptics, Jessica Singer. 0:39:46 Australian Skeptics Newsletter

    What skeptical news has caught the eye of Dee this week?
    Read by Adrienne Hill.

    http://www.skeptics.com.au

    RFK Jr. War of Flouride
    https://youtu.be/LDXiP8KhXKA 00:50:16 The "Why Smart Women Zone" Podcast - Part #2

    LIVE from the Occidental Hotel in Sydney Australia, comes a combination of two of Australia's favourite critical thinking and skeptical podcasts. The combination of the "Why Smart Women" podcast and "The Skeptic Zone" podcast.

    Join MC Lara Benham with hosts Annie McCubbin and Richard Saunders and special guests Kate Thomas, Sue Ieraci, and the president of Australian Skeptics, Jessica Singer. 01:09:08 Q&A - Interaction

    The unedited interaction with an audience member who, under the pretence of asking a question, takes the opportunity to put her strongly held views. Also The Skeptic Zone #896 - 7.December.2025 - Video
    https://youtu.be/4_uYURND9-8

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    1 h et 19 min
  • The Skeptic Zone #895 - 30.November.2025

    The Skeptic Zone #895 - 30.November.2025
    Nov 29 2025
    0:00:00 Introduction
    Richard Saunders 0:04:14 3i Atlas Update

    As Comet 3i Atlas emerges from behind the sun, we take a look at the latest news from NASA that confirms the object is not in fact being piloted by space racing aliens. Will this stop the UFO crowd from posting nonsense on social media?

    Avi Loeb is a Fraud Part 2 - Prof. Dave

    https://youtu.be/lf9oBlkQQCo 0:16:40 The Loon from Canada

    The Pink Tax!

    Kate & Allie chat to Karen Bijkersma from Melbourne about her investigations into what has been called "The Pink Tax", a extra charge put on consumables aimed to extract more dollars out of women. The term comes about from the fact that some objects are identical for men and women apart from the colour, which is often pink. The colour pink should not mean more money at the register.

    https://karenbijkersma.com.au 0:40:42 The TROVE Archives

    A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to Naturopaths.

    Joining in this week's segment is Lara Benham.

    1995.06.20 - Times - Victor Harbor, SA
    1993.11.28 - Lewiston Morning Tribune

    http://www.trove.nla.gov.au Also Sydney Skeptics in the Pub
    "Why Smart Women Zone" live podcast recording - 4 December

    https://www.meetup.com/austskeptics

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    1 h et 2 min